I know, its' been ages!! Seem to start my Blog with this phrase or similar alot!

Anyway, after receiving a complaint for not having anything up to date, I felt compeled to write.

I can't believe where the year is going. When I sent of my application for the NY marathon in April, November seemed so far away. Now it is just 11 weeks away!!! So, the training has had to be upped and taken a bit mroe seriously. I have no doubt at all I will complete the course, although the first mile or 2 on my runs seem to be most difficult and I briefly curse myslef for this stupid idea!! My training is all about the recovery, hopefully allowing me not to feel too knackered after it, and maybe being able to walk the following day!

The training has allowed me to find my pace, which for those who are interested, is about 10 minute miles, so if maintained would mean a time of 4 hours 20. We'll see! I was well chuffed last Saturday to run just over 10 miles, making use of the fairly flat Rea Valley Cycle route and the Birmingham Canal. Tomorrow I'm aiming for 15 miles. The thought of it is painful, but once you get into a rhythm it doesnt' seem to feel too bad!!

Fundraising isn't going too bad either, with my Cancer Research UK almost on target. Arthritis Care needs a bit more of a boost, but OK. Hopefully I'll raise about £11-£1200 for charity in total. Not a bad amount to show for this act of stupidity!!!


Not much other news, as everything is taking a back seat to the training schedule. Everything that is, apart from Craig, who is trying his hardest to train with me when he can, but his poor old joints are suffering!! The news there is that he has now moved in here. Seems incredible to me, that having only met him at the end of March, that we are already sharing this house. It is lovely, and in general I've managed to adapt from my single life well. Thankfully my parents are happy too, although talk of where we will spend Christmas is a little scary!!!

I know that the weather is shocking but it is still supposed to be summer...is anyone else having the Christmas pressure yet??!

Gosh, weeks since writing! Been a busy bee!!

First, running update: Been upping the regular runs to 5 or 6 miles, with shorter ones (2.5 miles) in between. Only managing to run about 3 times a week though, so need to increase this, although Craig is very keen and has joined me twice now. Think he regretted the 6 miles we did last Tuesday and his knee hasn't been the same since!

Craig update: well, as you can see from above, all is well there. Went into city centre last night to watch footy in Centenary Square..no it wasn't me who vandalised a bus!! Was a lot of unhappy people at the end, but the atmosphere had been quite good and I'd like to go in again on Thursday.

Job: It's 11.43 and still at home, although need to leave now. Got meeting this afternoon so didn't want to overdo it!! Also, early start tomorrow - Wolverhapmton for 8.15!! Yuk!

Off now. "the sun has got his hat on..."

Well, you'd be proud of me today. Maybe it was the pasta I had for tea last night, but I felt particulrly energetic tonight so started out on a run and then thought, hey, lets try a new route! Managed to run up to the Bunbary Road, along Middleton Hall Road to Cotteridge then past the Green to home - 8km (almost 5 miles!). Middleton Hall Rd is suprisingly flat and I felt as though I could have run forever..just the blasted hill up to the Green and beyond that home that kills!!! :-)

Also updated fundraising of £331.79....I have a fantastic group of generous friends...god bless you all!!

So, I've officially launched my websites for the New York Marathon..the countdown starts here!!

Fundraising has had an amazing start with £254.87 (which includes almost £55 of gift aid), so thanks to anyone reading who has pledged so far...and if you haven't...why not??!!

Training is slow but the true marathon training starts about 3 months before the event, so August then. Currently the furthest I've run is 6 miles, but that was hard and I did start to get some blisters, even with my super duper trainers from Hall Green running shop..so some adaptions may need to be made...spare feet might be good!

On Friday last week I did my usual 3 mile circuit, and I felt dead...great motivation!! As I'm in a positive mind frame, I decided not to be put off and that I would be more determined, and managed a 4 mile run on Saturday, although I did have to stop for 2 reasons.

a/ the view was great (I was running on part of the North Worcestershire Way and could see the lovely rolling hills of Worcestershire to my right and the gorgeous city skyline on my left...well I think its a lovely view, people's opinions differ on that!!)

b/ I got lost! Well, I expected the path to be well sign posted, but it wasnsn't. My trainers got quite wet and muddy too, which wasn't great.

I really need to gradually increase my distance (a mile at a time my coach reckons...thanks Ms Haigh for that advice!!) and I need to vary my routes, but running over uneven ground is a recipie for disaster I think and likely to end in me with a sprained ankle or twisted knee, so care is needed!! I don't mind running on the roads though, but buses tend to get annoyed if I us the bus lane!!!

From now on, this is an official NY marathon Blog (but might digress from time to time!!)

Ok, I know I've been rubbish at putting a new post on, but I've got a highly motivational job and hectic social life........well, one out of 2 aint bad!!

Work - suprisingly easy of course. But that is OK. There are still the odd challange and my old team are keeping me feeling useful in terms of coaching. I'm probably better now than when I was their boss as I'm far less stressed!!

In fact, I do tend to pocess rather an inane grin most of the time at the moment, but this is probably not due to work. ;-)

So, been a while...dont' seem to get much time to write at the moment..can't think why!!!
Not that I'm complaining. Is weird, being part of a couple again, having, and wanting to consider someone else. Compromise is the watch word I guess!

Anyway, Barcelona last weekend was great, with the ginger one! We even found a restaurant called 'Ginger'! Taxi drivers wre very chatty, even if the one taking us tot he airport at the end of it was trying to talk in Spanish, teach us Spanish when clearly we knew very little. our interpretation was something like this:" Blah blah blah blah blah blah then you gracias blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah (animated with hand gestures!) blah blah yes si blah blah blah" ....you get the picture. We were totally drained by the time the airport came into view!!

Weekend was capped by the mad twins we found ourselves next to on the airport bus going to the plane. Within seconds they were grilling this poor Spanish guy about hi wife and wether they had kids, why he was going to the UK, fo houw long and basically a life history. Amazing!

Lucky for us, we were sat directly behind them on the plane, so had their life story as they told the stewardess it was their 50th birthday and they had gone to Barcelona to celebrate. All I can say is that I'm sure their husbands had a fantastically quiet weekend with a beer in front of the telly, every now and then, turning off the sound and going 'hear that? That's peace and quiet that is!'

The stewardess was supposed to have been serving us tea but they talked for so long, the ones working their way forward from the back reached us eventually and they'd still trapped this poor woman! Ii have to say, we were in bits by this point and dreading eeting them at the baggage hall. WE imagined the inquesition. 'So, did your husbands mind you going away without them? What? You're not married? But wouldn't you like to have children? Do you thnk you will get married one day? How many bridesmaids would you like.................' AHHHHHH!!!

Luckily for us, they were no where to be seen, so we grabbed our luggage and ran!

Wow, been a while and I momentarily forgot my password!! Shock horror.
Anyway, settling into new job now..making the most of the weather to dry clothes and browse internet for journo stuff, oh and seeing docs from time to time too! Amazing how easily one slips back into the pace of life!

Ok, big news is that I am dating, proper dating..this must be the first time in years when I think about it. I mean, sure, I was seeing the laid back Irish one for a while, but one weekend in 3 doesn't really count as dating does it?? Since then, Mr non-commitment and Mr no txt...useless bunch!

So now, a real live proper man, who can txt, who does call, who will respond to e-mails, who comes up with ideas of where to go (Warwick races, meals out) and has even cooked me dinner...........................I have a suspicion it is all going to go wrong somewhere!!

What is it about us girls that we actually like the bastards of the world? They are exciting, maybe we have to work a little harder for them, whatever, I don't get it!!

So, effort required to hold on to the guy who can cook, has his own teeth, doesn't have any hang ups or sexual deviancs that are obvious at this stage, doesn't require huge amounts of fan like adoration, and has good standards of personal hygiene!!!! Go forth and buy hats!!!!


Only kidding folks!!!!

:-)

Well, I have to say I have a certain contentment this afternoon. I've finally finished my training course and passed (would have been a shock after 10 years in the job to be told I was crap!!), and am free from Monday to do as I wish!

Also, I've had a lovely weekend, doing exactly what one should do at weekends, buy a paper (which I haven't read!), go shopping (for nothing in particular, just to look and impulse buy!), and see friends. Bliss.

Only low point really was visiting my neighbours grave yesterday as it was a year since she passed away. Where does the time go? Good to remember and at least smile now. Funny, no relative of mine has ever been buried, so never done the whole grave visiting thing. Can understand now why people chose burial, as there is a focal point, somewhere to go to be near to them. Strange though, as maybe there are more places we can be close to someone we loved, just by thinking about them, but I guess that isn't always easy. For me, being someone who likes to be warm, I'd rather be cooked and scattered on field a daisies!

Sorry, didn't mean to get morbid! Anyway, the ironing calls!

How funny is that...after almost 3 weeks of no message, suddenly man gets use of his thumb back and sent txt. Honestly.

Have checked out the intracacies of the New York marathon and am definitely on for that! So, get your arms ready for reaching deep into your pockets to give me some dough!

If global warming is not to blame for the bizarre weather over the past 10 days, I don't know what is. We've gone from snow, to warm summer sun, and then yesterday the most amazing hail shower I've ever seen!! Felt particularly sorry for some joggers who were clearly in some pain a they failed to shelter from the marble sized ice drops, but not sorry enough to offer them a space in the car, and I have to admit to laughing at them! Sorry!

I'm much happier today. Promise! The sun has been shining and I've had another day at home to do more journo stuff,some work and been tot he gym again! My, I will be fit. I have finally decided (well, probably!) that I'm going to do the New York Marathon in November. I know I will probably regret it and may die in the process, but what a way to go. And anyway, I've never been to NY!!

Spoke to Debs about engagement. She is over the moon. Guess that's what 3 months in Iraq does to a bloke! Lovely news.

Been chatting with nice guy called Craig on DD today. We've even had to send 2 messages at a time because we've been running out of space. Time for next stage....personal e-mail address!!

Actually going out to work tomorrow. I know, it's a shame. How will I cope??!!

What is it with my friends at the moment??!! There must be something in the water! I only keep in touch with 2 really good friends from school, one got engaged 2 weeks ago, and now the other one is joining her too!!

So I feel totally on the shelf. I am happy for them both, honest. Deb & Chris have been together for years, and she really loves him. Touch of the green eyed monster, that's all. I'll get over it. Eventually.

I positively bounced out of bed this morning, with the prospect of yet another date. OK, I'm lying. I was quite unenthusiastic really. He looked OK on his pic and matched my criteria (clinical isnt' it?!), but our phone conversations left me thinking he sounded a bit, wel.....gay! I know he couldn't be, he is afterall actively looking for a woman, but an ifeminite voice was not what I was expecting.

In reality, he was friendly and apart from laughing a bit too much and slight twitch (no humped back though, thankfully!!), he was fine. Let's not get too excited, I wasn't bowled over. Mr 'no txt' man did bowl me over, just he turned out to be useless!! Perhaps there is a lesson there, but I'm not prepared to learn it yet!

Today I cannot deny that the events of Madrid have been on my mind, as I'm sure on many others. I was only there on New Years Day. For a capital city it didn't appear to be too full of itself, like maybe Paris, instead it allows you to take it at face value. The architecture is impressive and the people seemed charmed, or maybe they were still nursing their hangovers from the previous nights festivities! There are tranquil places, even in the center, where you could sit and watch the world go by. Tourists and Madridians (as I believe they are known?) mingled side by side to wander round the palace gardens, and central park. You just can't equate that with yesterdays scenes.

It was just a normal city, now it has seen the worst terrorist attack in Europe. Perhaps it doesn't matter who the perpetrators were, it is of no comfort to the city's morners But for us, sitting here, it coud make a difference. If it is not ETA, then we are all in danger, and the question of 'where next' arises.

It can't stop us doing whatever we want to do. We have more chance of being killed on the roads, but it is scary. We could be shopping one day, or going to work, or seeing friends... Doesn't bare thinking about.

who are you
why are you here
do I know you
what do you fear
have we met before
or chatted online
what do you look like
I bet you look fine
do you like to exercise
or swing a short whip
are you romantic
and like candlesticks
do you like roses
do you like music
are you into rock
or are you into country
long or short socks
do you want forevers
or only one night
do you dream of tomorrow
or only first light
do you want someone taller
do you mind if he's not
do you want some italian
or is elsewhere your lot
do you search for intimacy
and kisses galore
or casual moments
some sun and no more
are you satisfied with your body
do you have a big butt
do you want a boob job
or chocolate walnuts
would you move for love
or only for cash
what moves you honey
what causes a splash
will you be mine forever
or only one night
what do you want
when we turn off the light


OK guys, what the hell do I write in response to this?? Some of these blokes just take the biscuit don't they??!!

Job change situation:
Downshifting is a joy so far. I am back to being my own boss, more than when I was the boss, ironically enough!! I'm at home 'consolidating' what I learnt on last weeks training course. What I don't know about Prostates & what can go wrong with them now is not worth knowing!!!

Man situation: Not only can they not text, they phone you when you least expect them too, and screw you up......again!!! It has gone from "Sorry, no time to see you afterall" to "I've been out shopping and I'm meeting up with some mates later". Plenty of time for them I see. Not bitter, honest!

Friends situation: One couple now complete with no doubt perfect baby. Was compelled to buy decidedly cute outfit from Designer Debenhams to kit out the little mite. Will visit this week (all being well) and report back.
Another friend used 29th Feb to propose to bloke and he accepted. Wedding next summer and I am to be one of 7 bridesmaids. Apparently the best man is single and cute, and being chief bridesmaid, I'd say he's mine!! Only 15 months to go then!!

Health situation: Haven given up caffiene for lent, I am feeling chipper and lively......or is that due to a new job and less stress?? Hard to know!!

Top night out with girls last night. Was a revelation to go to Reflex and dance to our favourite 80's hits without being totally plastered before hand!! No dwarfs in sight either which was a definite plus!

Todays conundrum is, why can't men txt? Is it yet another trait that women have which men have clearly not yet grasped??!! And don't they understand that if they receive a txt it is polite to respond?! Blurrrrr!!!

Weekends are fab. Get to lie in bed and get up late, go to supermarket (OK, so not everything about weekend are so good!), and then go into town to spend money on clothes you don't need!!

So, here I am in cyberland....oh, it's a bit dark and dusty!! Better clean up! I've got time now you see, I've started a new job. Just waiting for my friends to start taking the mick about how little I actually do, now I have entered into the 'DOWNSHIFTERS CLUB'. People all over the world are saying "NO!" to hard work, long hours and no fun time. We are striving to rectify the work life balance. So many companies lie saying they care about your home life, but ultimately they run you ragged and it is time for this to STOP!

Well, I guess some people have to work hard, or else the world would turn, but I'm of the 'working smart' fraternity, be productive in the shortest amount of time possible, leaving other time to please ourselves with going to the gym, shopping or maybe, learning a new skill.

So, pick up thy trusty briefcase and march boldly from your office, take a breath of fresh air (well almost!), and say, "today is the first day of the rest of my life...I am going to make the most of it", wander into the pub next door and see if with the aid of alcohol you can put plan of action into place!!

Good luck comrades!!

I have been working hard honest...I had to read some background info and put a presentation together for the training course tomorrow and Friday. And, I've been trying to decide on a car. You see, I'm a stylish kind of girl and you can't have just anything. So, thought I'd have a Merc again, but this seems to have disappeared of the list since I last looked, but the Golf has appeared. I could have that with every toy going for a very reasonable price....hmmm..still no Beetle though!

Think I'll go to the gym later. Need to work off last night's dinner. Had nice French Onion soup followed by mussels, but I must have been clenching my teeth all evening because my jaw was really tight when I got home!! Poor lad, he was just a little bit too chatty. I can only recall him asking me one question all night!! He said he'd tried speed dating before but 3 minutes wasn't enough to tell the girl all about his 5 years on cruise ships!!! Really??!!

Maybe Mark from Cheltenham will turn out to be a better bet, so sent him another message today!

Right, couple more papers to read through, then off to gym I think.